Winter was a particularly nasty time of the year for the central areas of Boreas. At times, it felt as if the more Fenrir's Maw reached toward the skies, the more it would snow. Frozen flakes swirled down from the dark skies, piling up all over the land. Constantly wet, constantly cold, constantly shivering. There was hardly a moment when she didn't feel soaked to the bone. Her teeth chattered and her toes were numb. After a while, she got used to it. Clad in a newer animal pelt that fit snugly over her limbs to help ward off the frigid temperatures, she would brave the outside world.

Today was nastier than others. Unable to see over drifts of snow, it continued to fall and fall as the day went on. Truly, Delphi couldn't tell if it was morning, afternoon, or evening. Had the day gone by without her even realizing it? The only reason she had decided to go out was in search of some herbs and berries. Tenshi and Ulmaria had warned her that she wouldn't find much this time of the year, but Delphi disagreed. She was small. She could dig through the deep snow to find plants that were frozen enough that they could be thawed and then dried. At least, that was her plan.

Taking Binti and Manny with her, the trio of animals made their way slowly down the slopes of Fenrir's Maw toward the knolls. Rolling hills usually a beautiful green color full of large bison turned to white mounds as if giant polar bears were sleeping all over the valley. Behind her, Binti would grumble and complain while Manny was happy to be following along. An odd trio of animals, but they worked out nonetheless. Delphi would occasionally toss a look over her shoulder at the companions with snarky remarks before suddenly falling into a deep spot in the snow. Completely hidden, Binti and Manny freaked out until she could dig and climb her way out. The cycle continued until they found a small grove of trees out in the middle of the knolls.

There they took a break as the hail began to fall. While hail wasn't anything unusual, these ones seemed large. They felt large and painful as they pelted their coats. Huddling up next to a tree, Delphi frowned. How were they supposed to go digging for plants if the hail was going to be tumultuous like this? Frustrated, the girl steps out into the hail. Her eyes squint as she ducks down and tries to avoid the painful plunks against her face. Turning to her companions, she waves at them to stay put until she can find a good place. As she walks out and away from the trees, the hail continues to worsen as the minutes go by.

wc: 471

In the midst of a frigid, snow-covered plain, a world of stark contrasts and unforgiving beauty, predator and prey shared space. Quill, a brute of mottled shadow and snow, blended in fairly well. Amidst this serene yet perilous wilderness, a panorama of bison roamed, their hulking forms draped in blankets of snow. They resembled moving hills, part of a timeless, ever-shifting tapestry.

However, hidden among these behemoth creatures, a stealthy predator patiently stalked its quarry. It was a colossal polar bear, its massive frame a testament to nature's raw power. The bear, driven by primal instincts and an insatiable hunger, was not interested in the bison, despite their imposing presence. Instead, its icy eyes fixed on a smaller, more vulnerable prey: a lone wolf pup and her companions, who had strayed too close to the bear's icy domain.

Quill, positioned at a distance, observed the unfolding drama, contemplating his role in the impending clash of nature's titans. For a fleeting moment, he entertained the idea of being a silent spectator, allowing the circle of life to run its course. After all, survival in this unforgiving realm hinged on the principle of the survival of the fittest. Quill's instincts whispered that intervention might be unnecessary, that this was the way of the wild.

However, as he observed the vulnerable wolf pup, he muddled through the various actions that he could take and the reasons for each. In the end, Quill chose to help because really, what else was he doing? He was fucking bored. This would be as good a distraction as any.

Quill's heart pounded, and his muscles tensed. With determination, he made a swift decision to rush in and confront the impending peril. He understood the risks, but what didn't have a risk? Life was full of choices and this was just another in the long list.

The snow under Quill's paws muffled his approach as he stealthily closed the gap between himself and the giant bear. The bitter cold of the wilderness stung his lungs as he drew nearer. His senses were sharp, and his movements were calculated. As he closed in, his presence remained concealed from the predator.

The young wolf pup and her companions, still unaware of the impending danger, continued their path amidst the bison. The contrast between their innocence and the primal power of the approaching polar bear was stark and haunting.

As Quill reached striking distance, he prepared to reveal his presence with a snarl or a howl, but the skies above them all were wrenched open and large chunks of hail began to rain down, pelting the land loudly. One piece thumped hard off of Quill's shoulder and the wolf cursed loudly, a snarl on his lips. The bison responded to the hail and the curse, shifting uneasily as they sensed the approaching confrontation. Their bodies were tense, but they wouldn't run unless they had no choice. It was too cold and the feeding here was too good to abandon.

The polar bear, momentarily caught off guard, swung its massive head to face Quill, its eyes gleaming with primal hunger and fury. The two predators, each an embodiment of their harsh environment, now squared off in a battle that would test their strength, cunning, and will.

With a growl that reverberated through the frozen air, the polar bear charged forward, its enormous claws slashing at the snow. Quill, a nimble and intelligent wolf, darted aside, evading the bear's initial assault. Their dance of life and death continued, a high-stakes game played out on this wintry stage.

As the battle raged on, Quill's agility and intelligence proved to be formidable weapons against the bear's brute force. He nipped and harried the bear, never allowing it to gain a decisive advantage. Yet, the bear's immense size and power were a constant threat, and the struggle was far from one-sided.

Teeth bit into white fur, tearing at the flesh beneath until the bear's white coat ran red. Hail continued to rain down upon them and Quill had no doubt that he would be bruised after all of this. Would it have been a better idea to just lay low and watch the kid get eaten? Maybe... but here he was and this was the path that he had chosen.

WC-714
Total-1185


"Speech"

Hail falls from the sky as if the gods unleashed a bucket of golf balls out of the clouds. Her face is scrunched up and her ears pressed firmly against her head as she tries to see through the sheets of ice that now slowly cover the ground. A frustrated grumble resonates in her tiny chest as she continues to plod along through the bison. The giant creatures paid her no mind. They knew she would do nothing to them and if they needed to they would stomp her. She knew that just as well so there was a silent agreement that she would be free to wander as long as she minded her business.

What she didn't notice for a while was the massive predator hiding in between the sheets of hail. The massive polar bear stalked her with hunger and separation in its eyes. Slowly the hulking bear drew closer to her. Every step brings it far closer to her than she would realize until the sound of someone rushing up from the side causes her to freeze. Though soaked to the bone, her hair manages to puff up slightly as she watches with wide eyes as the massive wolf comes charging at her. Her mouth opens to shout, but quickly closes as he careens toward the predator that was moments away from taking her alive.

"WHOA!" Delphi starts, jumping in the air as she stares at the man as he begins to duel with the polar bear. From the tree, her companions stared as well and dared not move. They were smart enough not to risk their lives, but Delphi? Oh, Delphi, you poor, poor stupid pup. She couldn't let him fight the bear alone, now could she? Her eyes rove over the bear's massive form as it swipes and charges at the large wolf that dances around the bear. Where could she go that would allow her to help, if only a little bit? Unfortunately, there wouldn't be too much time for her to worry over such trivial things. It was either an attack or not.

As the larger wolf turned the bear away from her, continuing to dance and parry with the powerful beast, Delphi charged forward through the hail. If this tactic had worked before, maybe it would work again! Within feet of the bear, Delphi launches herself onto the back right thigh of the polar bear. Sinking her saber fangs into the bear's thick skin and meat, she holds on for dear life. Due to her small stature, the bear barely twitches toward her advance at first. The larger man a much larger threat for now.

Carefully, Delphi pulled herself up, paw by paw, tooth by fang until she was grasping the spine of the polar bear. Wobbling onto her paws, she grounded herself into the bear's fur as much as possible before slowly inching forward toward the bear's head. It isn't until Delphi is near the bear's head does it pays any mind to her. Knowing she is running out of time, she launches forward the last few inches and grabs ahold of the polar bear's left ear. Digging her fangs in for a good hold, she swings her hind legs over the bear's face to start scratching at his eyes with her hind paws. She hopes, oh she fucking hopes, that this guy will hurry up and kill the bear before it swipes her off its face with those massive paws.

wc 580
total 1766/1500

Quill was more than a little surprised when the girl began to climb the bear. He wouldn't be able to kill such a massive beast all on his own and the girl would be little help. He needed to think of something else to either run the bear off or ends it's life. Quill's gaze scanned the plain and suddenly he knew what he was doing.

The bison. If he could round up the bison and make them charge the bear, perhaps the beast would run. The kid would be at risk of being trampled, but he hoped she was smart enough to seek shelter on the nearby rocks or under the trees.

He didn't see the girl hanging on the bears ear, but he only had so much attention to spare. The marbled wolf ran around the bison, snapping at their heels until one began to bolt. Herd animals... the rest ran along with it. The bison stampeded towards the bear and Quill had enough time to yell, "Watch out, kid!" before they were upon it.

Quill Quilin Klein

Exhausted hit Delphi quicker than she expected. As the larger man ran off, fear fought that exhaustion. Adrenaline surged through her as she felt the wind buzz by her as the bear attempted to swipe her away. Holding on for dear life, she continues to kick and scratch at the massive bear's face until the ground began to tremble beneath her. Her eyes widen even more as even the bear stops and looks at the commotion. As seconds ticked away, death upon her, she finally heard the man tell her to watch out. Confused, Delphi quickly released her hold upon the bear, rolling off of its back and onto the snowy ground with a thump.

Taking no time to really recover, Delphi got to her paws and took off back to where her companions hid. Over her shoulder, she notices the herd of bison stampeding toward the large predator. In an effort to save its life, the bear stumbled out of the way. Out of breath and in the safety of the rocks and trees, Delphi peered over her companions to the stranger. "Thanks!" She calls out through the gale of weather around them. "Guys, we gotta go," Delphi whispers before slinking off back toward Fenrir's Maw without even a second glance back at the man.